Cruises are great for relaxing. They offer a special experience where one can take care of mind, body, and spirit. Cruises can also be vehicles for taking care of the planet. Volunteer cruises, like cruises on Scripps ships, can be amazing vacation opportunities that also give cruises the chance to make a difference in the world at large.
Want to know more about Scripps Oceanography Volunteer Research Cruises? Let’s take a look.
What is Scripps?
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a department of UC San Diego. It’s one of the oldest and largest centers for ocean study. And, it serves as an important vehicle for atmospheric science research and education. Scripps performs a great public service. It researches the physical, biological, chemical, and geological aspects of our oceans, the Earth as a whole, and other planets. The institution provides ongoing research opportunities in classrooms and aboard a fleet of small ships, all in the name of marine and planetary biodiversity and conservation.
Scripps Ships
Scripps’ fleet of 4 oceanographic research ships, and its research platform FLIP (which stands for Floating Instrument Platform), comprises one of the largest academic fleets of ocean vessels in the world. A new Scripps ship is under construction and will join the fleet in late 2015. This vessel is an ocean-class research ship that will be operated by Scripps on behalf of the Office of Naval Research.
Volunteering on Scripps Ships
Scripps offers volunteer opportunities aboard its research vessels. Volunteers are able to cruise with a team of scientists and help out with research efforts. If you’d like to assist in gathering information about the ocean and the atmosphere aboard a Scripps ship, you can contact the chief scientist in charge of any Scripps cruise you’re interested in. Scripps’ scheduling page offers information about the cruises planned for all Scripps vessels.
Once you find a cruise you’re interested in, and contact the corresponding chief scientist, simply wait to hear if you’ve been accepted as a volunteer. Keep in mind that Scripps cruises are often physically and technically challenging. They might require advanced skills that a volunteer may or may not possess.
Space is limited on Scripps ships, so if you’re not accepted as a volunteer, it could be that the chief scientist does not have a need for more help at the current time. Keep trying if you really want to go. For insurance purposes, volunteers who are accepted will need to sign up as an official staff volunteer with Scripps.
For more information about taking a volunteer cruise with Scripps, contact them through their website. Please note that minimum age requirements for volunteers apply.
